The purpose of this study is to explore the unique meaning and experience associated with walking a unicursal seven circuit outdoor Chartress Labyrinth and 11 circuit indoor Chartress Labyrinth for persons residing at a forensic mental health care facility. Over the past several decades labyrinths have enjoyed something of a renaissance and are often utilized by spiritual care practitioners and health care clinicians in order to support reflection, stress reduction, and the exploration of personal wellness in a sacred setting. Labyrinths are used in many settings including places of worship, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and parks. While labyrinths are becoming more prevalent, an understanding of their impact, particularly in the mental health context, is limited. This qualitative study supports a novel investigation of the meaning associated with participation in walking a labyrinth for persons residing at a forensic mental health care facility. The study design is a qualitative methodology involving transcribed interviews with 12 individuals resident at the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care who participated in the 'Walking the Labyrinth' program as facilitated by spiritual care staff. A standardized interview protocol was utilized and the collected data was coded for themes. Several methods were employed to establish trustworthiness including triangulation by analyst and by theory/perspective. Member checking was also utilized in order to further validate the themes. Recommendations related to potential health care applications for labyrinths are identified. These include a focus upon the linkage between mental health care planning and labyrinth participation.

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Date Presented 03/26/20 OT and spiritual-care staff supported a weekly group at accessible nature spaces over 12 weeks for forensic mental-health clients (n = 9) in Ontario, Canada. Outcomes were measured qualitatively consistent with interpretative phenomenological analysis. Themes highlighted freedom, connection to nature, unguarded reflection and relaxation, and strengthened human connections. Analysis of eco inputs in supporting mental-illness recovery has been limited; this study supports that conversation. Primary Author and Speaker: Clark Heard Contributing Authors: Jared Scott, Stephen Yeo

Date Presented 3/30/2017 This novel qualitative research considers outcomes for 12 participants in the Walking the Labyrinth program at the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care. Potential care applications are identified, including the link between mental health care planning and labyrinth participation. Primary Author and Speaker: Clark Patrick Heard Contributing Authors: Rev. Stephen Yeo, Jared Scott